The US-China 1+2+1 Program at George Mason University
For additional information, please visit our website: http://china121.gmu.edu
Overview
The US-China 1+2+1 Dual Degree Program, begun in 2001, involves American and Chinese universities participating under the auspices of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE). As of 2010, some 80 Chinese universities and 18 American universities were participating in the program.
This international education initiative brings American and Chinese universities together to offer dual degrees to Chinese undergraduate students, and is one of the largest Sino-American joint endeavors in the education field. 1+2+1 students spend their freshman year in a Chinese university, their sophomore and junior years at an American university, and their senior year at their original university in China. Upon completing all requirements, students receive baccalaureate degrees from each school. Graduates of the program complete a rigorous and demanding course of study at two universities, and gain a truly international education.
In 2004, George Mason University became one of the first American institutions to participate in the US-China 1+2+1 Dual Degree Program. Mason has formed 1+2+1 partnerships with some 15 Chinese universities and enrolled more than 180 students from these schools in the past 5 years (see list of partners and breakdown of students by university below). Each August since 2005, a new cohort of 1+2+1 students arrives at Mason to begin the U.S portion of their studies. The academic coursework usually takes two years to complete, but some students remain on campus three years or even longer because they spend more time in the English Language Institute or have to complete additional requirements for their major.
Mason’s 1+2+1 students may choose from among twelve majors, although most to date have chosen Economics, Finance, or Computer Science (see below for a full list of majors and breakdown of students by degree). Three cohorts of Mason 1+2+1 students have graduated since 2008, having earned a degree from both Mason and their Chinese university. Most of these students earned a place on the Dean’s List in one or more of their semesters at Mason, and each year several receive special academic awards and honors from the university.
The program has brought a select group of talented international students to campus, adding a global perspective to academic instruction and serving as a catalyst for other exchanges between U.S. and Chinese partner universities. Mason has also hosted visiting scholars from Chinese 1+2+1 universities and Mason faculty members have spent time at partner schools in China.
Mason’s Partner Universities in China/year of agreement
Beijing Jiaotong University (2008)
Beijing Language and Culture University (2010)
Beijing Normal University (2004)
Chang’an University (2006)
China Pharmaceutical University (2009)
Chongqing University (2006)
Communication University of China (2005)
Hefei University of Technology (2008)
Henan University (2008)
Liaoning University (2007)
Nanjing Normal University (2004)
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (2007)
Southwest Jiaotong University (2004)
Shaanxi Normal University (2009)
Shandong University at Weihai (2004)
Soochow University (2004)
Wuhan University of Technology (2004)
Yunnan University (2004)
Breakdown of 121 Students by University in China
2005--Year 1--16 students from five universities
Wuhan University of Technology 8
Nanjing Normal University: 2
Yunnan University 2
Shandong University at Weihai 1
Soochow University 3
2006--Year 2-- 30 students from five universities
Wuhan Univ. of Technology 15
Nanjing Normal University 9
Yunnan University 1
Shandong University at Weihai 2
Soochow University 3
2007--Year 3--29 students from nine universities
Wuhan Univ. of Technology 5
Nanjing Normal University 10
Yunnan University 2
Shandong University at Weihai 3
Soochow University 3
Beijing Normal University 1
Chongqing University 3
Southwest Jiaotong University 1
Liaoning University 1
2008--Year 4--32 students from 10 universities
Wuhan Univ. of Technology 1
Nanjing Normal University 8
Yunnan University 2
Shandong University at Weihai 1
Soochow University 8
Chongqing University 3
Southwest Jiaotong University 5
Communication University of China 1
Chang'an University 1
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology 2
2009--Year 5 – 46 students from 10 universities
Beijing Jiaotong University: 3 students
Chang'an University: 1 student
Chongqing University : 5 students
Hefei University of Technology: 2
Henan University: 1
Nanjing Normal University: 10
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology: 2
Shandong University at Weihai: 3
Soochow University: 8
Southwest Jiaotong University: 10
Yunnan University: 1
2010—Year 6—31 students from 12 universities
Beijing Jiaotong: 1 student
China Pharmaceutical University: 1 student
Chongqing University: 3 students
Hefei University of Technology: 1
Nanjing Normal University: 3
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology: 1
Shaanxi Normal University: 3
Shandong University at Weihai: 4
Soochow University: 6
Southwest Jiaotong University: 5
Wuhan University of Technology: 1
Yunnan University: 2
Majors open to 1+2+1 Students at Mason
The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering
Computer Science, B.S.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts
Art and Visual Technology, B.F.A. or B.A.(Concentration in Graphic Design)
Dance, B.F.A.
Music, B.M. in Performance
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Economics, B.A. or B.S
Global Affairs, B.A
The College of Science
Geography, B.A. or B.S. degree
Computational and Data Science, B.S.
Physics, B.S.
The School of Management
Management, B.S.*
Marketing, B.S. *
Finance, B.S.*
*These business majors are only open to students accepted by the School of Management after meeting prerequisites at Mason. Extra coursework/time at Mason is required for these degrees.
Breakdown of 121 Students by Major at Mason
Cohort 1 students (arrived at Mason in August 2005):
16 students including: Economics (13); Computer Science (2); and School of Management (Marketing) 1
Cohort 2 (arrived at Mason in 2006)
30 students including Economics (21), Computer Science (2); and School of Management-one of four degrees (7)
Cohort 3 (arrived at Mason in 2007): 29 students including Economics (10); Computer Science (1); School of Management (16); Global Affairs (1) and Geography (1)
Cohort 4 (arrived at Mason in August 2008): 33 students including Economics (15); Computer Science (3); School of Management (14) and Music (1).
Cohort 5 (arrival at Mason in 2009): 46 students including Economics (17); Computer Science (6); Global Affairs (4); Finance (14); Management (2); Marketing (1) and Art and Visual Technology (2)
Cohort 6 (arrived at Mason in 2010) 31 students including Economics (9); Computer Science (4) Finance (8); Management (4); Marketing (2); Art and Visual Technology (1); Music (1); Geography (2)
Draft March 2011